Thanks for having a form like this on the website! I have had a slight rash, on my forehead, for 21 months now, and we have just now tested me, finally, for lupus. I had Immunoglobulin tests, CBC, hormones, and an ANA test. All was well until the ANA, which came out speckled at 1:640. So, I just took a lupus panel, which came out 6 (reference range for dsDNA Autoantibodies = <5 – not detected, 5-10 = indeterminate, greater than 10 = detected). So, I’m ANA positive, but dsDNA is indeterminate. I feel great with no other symptoms. What should I do now, go on Plaquenil for the rash, or seek out other causes for that? Or have further tests??

What can happen to a person with Anti-dna levels markedly elevated over 1000 IU/ML. I know the level should be under 25. Can this be dangerous?

Does anti-ds dna of 85 and ana of 1:160 mean that I have lupus? I also have anti-thyroid antibodies and have had transverse myelitis in the past year. My spinal tap is positive for oligoclonal bands. Is this MS? Is this lupus? Is this both?

I recently had a blood test to see if I have rheumotoid arthritus . HI SEDRATE:The results say the normal number is 1-15 mine was 23 , how bad is this and also what is the scale after the 1-15 is 23 very high/ Also on the test was this Positive 1:320 Homogeneous what does that mean??

In mid August ’04, I developed a blood clot in my left leg. One week later I was diagnosed with SLE. Fifteen months later I am still on coumadin and have been told I will have to take for the rest of my life. SLE has a tendency to repeat past blood clots, I was told. Is there another drug to replace coumadin so I can stop the madness of blood tests every month for pro times? What is your opinion?

I had negative antibody levels except for the ANA (strong positive) on an Elisa screen but did have low levels of ds-dna, sm, ssa and ssb (they are still considered negative) My question is if their presence even at a low level is something to be concerned about? They all increased over 6 months. Will they continue to increase over time? I have read that their presence at anytime is abnormal. I continue to have symptoms of multiple joint pain, swelling, fatigue,etc… although it is finally seeming to improve since starting plaquenil about 4 months ago. I just wonder what this all means for the future. I have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and also have been positive with the Lupus anticoagulant on 3 different occasions.